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'''Joe Baksi''' (January 14, 1922 – August 6, 1977) was a top heavyweight contender who defeated fighters such as Tami Mauriello, [[Lee Savold]], [[Lou Nova]], and [[Freddie Mills]], while losing decisions to [[Jersey Joe Walcott]] and [[Ezzard Charles]].
'''Joe Baksi''' (January 14, 1922 – August 6, 1977) was an American boxer and top heavyweight contender. He defeated fighters such as Tami Mauriello, [[Lee Savold]], [[Lou Nova]], and [[Freddie Mills]], while losing decisions to [[Jersey Joe Walcott]] and [[Ezzard Charles]].


==Background==
==Background==
Joe Baksi was a child of the [[Kulpmont, Pennsylvania]] coal mines. His parents was of Slovak descent. He was quoted as saying that he never had any intention of being a boxer, but he saw it "as a ticket to a better way of life, out of the coal mines."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/08/archives/joe-baksi-dies-at-55-was-a-top-heavyweight-fought-charles-walcott.html Joe Baksi Dies at 55],''NY Times'', August 8, 1977, pg. 26</ref> He broke into professional boxing in 1940 at the age of 18. He beat nine boxers that year, including the future movie actor [[Jack Palance]] (who fought under the name of ''Jack Brazzo'') at the [[Westchester County Center]] in [[White Plains, New York]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20130102082911/http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=041420 Boxing Records] Official records for Jack Palance ''aka'' Jack Brazzo</ref><ref>Lawrence Christon,[https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/21416664.html?dids=21416664:21416664&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+30%2C+1995&author=Lawrence+Christon&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=3&desc=Home+on+the+Range+It%27s+been+a+long%2C+dusty+journey+since+%60Panic+in+the+Streets%27+and+%60Shane.%27+These+days%2C+Jack+Palance+is+tough+as+boot+leather-except+when+it+comes+to+talking+about+his+own+life "Home on the Range It's been a long, dusty journey since Panic in the Streets and Shane"], ''The Los Angeles Times'', April 30, 1995, Calendar Section. ''Palance recounts a "pier 6 brawl" with Baksi''</ref><ref>[https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117953728.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 Oscar-winning thesp Palance dies], ''Variety'', November 10, 2006</ref>
Joe Baksi was a child of the [[Kulpmont, Pennsylvania]] coal mines. His parents were Slovakians who emigrated from [[Austria-Hungary]] to Pennsylvania, where his father was a coal miner.<ref>''[[1920 United States census]]''</ref> He was quoted as saying that he never had any intention of being a boxer, but he saw it "as a ticket to a better way of life, out of the coal mines."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1977/08/08/archives/joe-baksi-dies-at-55-was-a-top-heavyweight-fought-charles-walcott.html Joe Baksi Dies at 55],''NY Times'', August 8, 1977, pg. 26</ref> He broke into professional boxing in 1940 at the age of 18. He beat nine boxers that year, including the future movie actor [[Jack Palance]] (who fought under the name of ''Jack Brazzo'') at the [[Westchester County Center]] in [[White Plains, New York]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20130102082911/http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=041420 Boxing Records] Official records for Jack Palance ''aka'' Jack Brazzo</ref><ref>Lawrence Christon,[https://web.archive.org/web/20071001061638/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/21416664.html?dids=21416664:21416664&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+30,+1995&author=Lawrence+Christon&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&edition=&startpage=3&desc=Home+on+the+Range+It%27s+been+a+long,+dusty+journey+since+%60Panic+in+the+Streets%27+and+%60Shane.%27+These+days,+Jack+Palance+is+tough+as+boot+leather-except+when+it+comes+to+talking+about+his+own+life "Home on the Range It's been a long, dusty journey since Panic in the Streets and Shane"], ''The Los Angeles Times'', April 30, 1995, Calendar Section. ''Palance recounts a "pier 6 brawl" with Baksi''</ref><ref>[https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117953728.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 Oscar-winning thesp Palance dies], ''Variety'', November 10, 2006</ref>


== Boxing career ==
== Boxing career ==


===Becoming a contender===
===Becoming a contender===
Baksi campaigned over the boxing circuit for a number of years, until he got his first big match with Tami Mauriello on February 25, 1944 at [[Madison Square Garden]]. Mauriello was the 5-11 favorite, and the bronx contender for the Heavyweight crown. Mauriello was expected to win, based on his experience. Baski hoped to win by matching punch with punch and using his 210 vs. 196&nbsp;lb weight advantage to his favor.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1944/02/25/archives/mauriello-choice-to-vanquish-baksi-bronx-heavyweight-rated-57-edge.html Mauriello Choice to Vanquish Baksi] ''NY Times'', February 25, 1944, pg. 20</ref> Tami was floored late in the first round with a left hook by Baksi, and was down for a nine count. Tami faced a battering and battled back to prevent his first knockout defeat. Baksi won by unanimous decision.<ref>James Dawson, [https://www.nytimes.com/1944/02/26/archives/baksi-outpoints-mauriello-in-10round-upset-before-16015-fans-at.html Baksi Outpoints Mauriello in 10-Round Upset], ''NY Times'', February 26, 1944, pg. 18</ref>
Baksi campaigned over the boxing circuit for a number of years, until he got his first big match with [[Tami Mauriello]] on February 25, 1944 at [[Madison Square Garden]]. Mauriello was the 5-11 favorite, and the bronx contender for the Heavyweight crown. Mauriello was expected to win, based on his experience. Baski hoped to win by matching punch with punch and using his 210 vs. 196&nbsp;lb weight advantage to his favor.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1944/02/25/archives/mauriello-choice-to-vanquish-baksi-bronx-heavyweight-rated-57-edge.html Mauriello Choice to Vanquish Baksi] ''NY Times'', February 25, 1944, pg. 20</ref> Tami was floored late in the first round with a left hook by Baksi, and was down for a nine count. Tami faced a battering and battled back to prevent his first knockout defeat. Baksi won by unanimous decision.<ref>James Dawson, [https://www.nytimes.com/1944/02/26/archives/baksi-outpoints-mauriello-in-10round-upset-before-16015-fans-at.html Baksi Outpoints Mauriello in 10-Round Upset], ''NY Times'', February 26, 1944, pg. 18</ref>


Baksi's upset over Tami sprang him to nationwide prominence. He was the favorite to beat [[Lee Savold]] two weeks later at the Garden, having the weight advantage and coming off his victory over Mauriello (who had beaten Savold twice before).<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1944/03/10/archives/baksi-12-choice-to-defeat-savold-hardhitting-heavyweights-to-meet.html Baksi 1-2 Choice to Defeat Savold], ''NY Times'', March 10, 1944, p18</ref> But Baksi was a tyro compared to Savold. Baksi got off to a slow start, and though he showed advantage in the ninth and tenth rounds Savold boxed his way with left hooks and jabs to win a split decision that night.<ref>Joseph Nichols, [https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0E15F83B54107B93C3A81788D85F408485F9 Savold Beats Baksi in Heavyweight Bout], ''NY Times'', March 11, 1944, pg. 18</ref> They had a rematch on March 10, 1944. This time, Savold was the 5-7 favorite.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1944/05/26/archives/savold-57-choice-to-vanquish-baksi-heavyweights-to-meet-over.html Savold 5-7 Choice to Vanquish Baksi], ''NY Times'', May 26, 1944, pg. 14</ref>
Baksi's upset over Tami sprang him to nationwide prominence. He was the favorite to beat [[Lee Savold]] two weeks later at the Garden, having the weight advantage and coming off his victory over Mauriello (who had beaten Savold twice before).<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1944/03/10/archives/baksi-12-choice-to-defeat-savold-hardhitting-heavyweights-to-meet.html Baksi 1-2 Choice to Defeat Savold], ''NY Times'', March 10, 1944, p18</ref> But Baksi was a tyro compared to Savold. Baksi got off to a slow start, and though he showed advantage in the ninth and tenth rounds Savold boxed his way with left hooks and jabs to win a split decision that night.<ref>Joseph Nichols, [https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0E15F83B54107B93C3A81788D85F408485F9 Savold Beats Baksi in Heavyweight Bout], ''NY Times'', March 11, 1944, pg. 18</ref> They had a rematch on March 10, 1944. This time, Savold was the 5-7 favorite.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1944/05/26/archives/savold-57-choice-to-vanquish-baksi-heavyweights-to-meet-over.html Savold 5-7 Choice to Vanquish Baksi], ''NY Times'', May 26, 1944, pg. 14</ref>


Baksi was in better shape that night, and fought a careful fight, out "left-handing" Savold, who was thought to have the best southpaw amongst the heavyweight contenders. At the finish Savold's left eye was cut, his nose and mouth bleeding, and his left side looked like raw hamburger. Baksi's only wound was a broken nose.<ref>Joseph Nichols, [https://www.nytimes.com/1944/05/27/archives/baksi-decisively-outpoints-savold-in-12round-heavyweight-bout-at.html Baksi Decisively Outpoints Savold in 12-Round Heavyweight Bout], ''NY Times'', May 27, 1944, pg. 20</ref> He won a unanimous decision. His victory advanced him to be ranked 4th in the N.B.A rankings, behind champion [[Joe Louis]], and boxers [[Billy Conn]] and [[Jimmy Bivins]].<ref>[https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0811F63859147B93C6A8178CD85F408485F9 Baksi Placed 4th in N.B.A Rankings], ''NY Times'', July 14, 1944, pg. 18</ref> Baksi went on to beat [[Lee Savold|Savold]] again on August 7, 1944.
Baksi was in better shape that night, and fought a careful fight, out "left-handing" Savold, who was thought to have the best southpaw amongst the heavyweight contenders. At the finish Savold's left eye was cut, his nose and mouth bleeding, and his left side looked like raw hamburger. Baksi's only wound was a broken nose.<ref>Joseph Nichols, [https://www.nytimes.com/1944/05/27/archives/baksi-decisively-outpoints-savold-in-12round-heavyweight-bout-at.html Baksi Decisively Outpoints Savold in 12-Round Heavyweight Bout], ''NY Times'', May 27, 1944, pg. 20</ref> He won a unanimous decision. His victory advanced him to be ranked 4th in the N.B.A rankings, behind champion [[Joe Louis]], and boxers [[Billy Conn]] and [[Jimmy Bivins]].<ref>[https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0811F63859147B93C6A8178CD85F408485F9 Baksi Placed 4th in N.B.A Rankings], ''NY Times'', July 14, 1944, pg. 18</ref> Baksi went on to beat [[Lee Savold|Savold]] again on August 7, 1944.
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In his next fight, Baksi defeated Finnish boxer [[Gunnar Bärlund|Gunnar Baerlund]] (''GeeBee'') and then scheduled a fight with his former sparring partner Lee Oma on January 28, 1945. Oma, unknown six months previously, gained fame by putting up a spirited fight against Mauriello in September. Oma lost that fight but earned a rematch in December, which he won. Still, Baksi was a 1-3 favorite to beat Oma. He had a 25-pound advantage over Oma, and corresponding advantages in height, reach, and punching power. But he lacked mental alertness that night, having suffered a cold over the last several days before the fight. He made a late comeback in the fight, but lost the fight by a unanimous decision.<ref>James Dawson, [https://www.nytimes.com/1945/01/27/archives/oma-beats-baksi-in-boxing-upset-the-winner-forcing-the-fighting.html Oma Beats Baksi in Boxing Upset], ''NY Times'', January 27, 1945, pg. 17</ref>
In his next fight, Baksi defeated Finnish boxer [[Gunnar Bärlund|Gunnar Baerlund]] (''GeeBee'') and then scheduled a fight with his former sparring partner Lee Oma on January 28, 1945. Oma, unknown six months previously, gained fame by putting up a spirited fight against Mauriello in September. Oma lost that fight but earned a rematch in December, which he won. Still, Baksi was a 1-3 favorite to beat Oma. He had a 25-pound advantage over Oma, and corresponding advantages in height, reach, and punching power. But he lacked mental alertness that night, having suffered a cold over the last several days before the fight. He made a late comeback in the fight, but lost the fight by a unanimous decision.<ref>James Dawson, [https://www.nytimes.com/1945/01/27/archives/oma-beats-baksi-in-boxing-upset-the-winner-forcing-the-fighting.html Oma Beats Baksi in Boxing Upset], ''NY Times'', January 27, 1945, pg. 17</ref>


Baksi went on to win a unanimous decision against [[Lou Nova]] on March 30, flooring Nova in the fourth round with a left hook to the ribs that kept Nova down for a count of nine.<ref>Joseph Nichols, [https://www.nytimes.com/1945/03/31/archives/baksi-beats-nova-with-late-rally-california-heavyweight-on-the.html Baksi Beats Nova], ''NY Times'', March 31, 1945, pg. 25</ref> Baksi was now the second ranked (wartime) heavyweight. He scored easy decisions against Lee Dixie Oliver and Larry Lane, and then fought a thirty-one-year-old [[Jersey Joe Walcott]]. Walcott had lost earlier bouts with world-class professionals, and was an underdog against Baksi. But Walcott won, scoring 6-3-1 on the single referees scorecard. Walcott's dancing and dodging allowed him to escape Baksi's reach, and he was able to get in enough hooks to make Baksi groggy.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1945/08/03/archives/walcott-outboxes-baksi-notches-upset-in-heavyweight-bout-in-camden.html Walcott Outboxes Baksi], ''NY Times'', August 3, 1945, pg. 20</ref> Baksi lost his next fight with Jimmy Bell (a split decision in which Baksi was penalized two rounds for a low blow), but then racked up four easy wins before traveling to Europe.{{cn|date=September 2022}}
Baksi went on to win a unanimous decision against [[Lou Nova]] on March 30, flooring Nova in the fourth round with a left hook to the ribs that kept Nova down for a count of nine.<ref>Joseph Nichols, [https://www.nytimes.com/1945/03/31/archives/baksi-beats-nova-with-late-rally-california-heavyweight-on-the.html Baksi Beats Nova], ''NY Times'', March 31, 1945, pg. 25</ref> Baksi was now the second ranked (wartime) heavyweight. He scored easy decisions against Lee Dixie Oliver and Larry Lane, and then fought a thirty-one-year-old [[Jersey Joe Walcott]]. Walcott had lost earlier bouts with world-class professionals, and was an underdog against Baksi. But Walcott won, scoring 6-3-1 on the single referees scorecard. Walcott's dancing and dodging allowed him to escape Baksi's reach, and he was able to get in enough hooks to make Baksi groggy.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1945/08/03/archives/walcott-outboxes-baksi-notches-upset-in-heavyweight-bout-in-camden.html Walcott Outboxes Baksi], ''NY Times'', August 3, 1945, pg. 20</ref> Baksi lost his next fight with Jimmy Bell (a split decision in which Baksi was penalized two rounds for a low blow), but then racked up four easy wins before traveling to Europe.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}}


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[https://archive.today/20240524035148/http://www.webcitation.org/5ZGN3n0Nt?url=http://static.boxrec.com/wiki/8/8c/Baksi.Joe.jpg Baksi in his prime] |image2=
[http://www.webcitation.org/5ZGNKf6vx?url=http://www.oldpostcards.com/media/spo/spo005384.jpg Post Card]
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[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927190535/http://www.antekprizering.com/slidewellbaksi.html Bow Tie Advert] }}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927190535/http://www.antekprizering.com/slidewellbaksi.html Bow Tie Advert] }}


===Europe and back===
===Europe and back===
Baksi left for Europe on October 9, 1946 to fight the two British champions. He first defeated British light heavy weight champion [[Freddie Mills]]. Baksi was sluggish in the first round, but Mills (who had chronic eye problems) suffered a cut in his right eye in the second round, and his left eye in the third. After a bad battering, Mills gave up at the end of the sixth round.<ref>[https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0B15FA3A5C107A93C4A9178AD95F428485F9 Baksi Stops Mills], ''NY Times'', November 6, 1946, pg. 41</ref>
Baksi left for Europe on October 9, 1946 to fight the two British champions. He first defeated British light heavy weight champion [[Freddie Mills]]. Baksi was sluggish in the first round, but Mills (who had chronic eye problems) suffered a cut in his right eye in the second round, and his left eye in the third. After a bad battering, Mills gave up at the end of the sixth round.<ref>[https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0B15FA3A5C107A93C4A9178AD95F428485F9 Baksi Stops Mills], ''NY Times'', November 6, 1946, pg. 41</ref>


Baksi then went on to fight British heavyweight champion [[Bruce Woodcock (boxer)|Bruce Woodcock]] on 15 April 1947. Baksi floored Woodcock three times in the first round and twice in the second. Woodcock made a comeback in the fifth, but Baksi was scoring at will when the referee stopped it in the seventh.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1947/04/16/archives/american-batters-british-champion-baksi-drops-woodcock-5-times-in.html American Batters British Champion], ''NY Times'', April 16, 1947, pg. 33</ref> Woodcock went to the hospital with a broken jaw.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 April 1947 |title=Woodcock Had Jaw Broken |pages=1 |work=The Lancashire Daily Post}}</ref>
Baksi then went on to fight British heavyweight champion [[Bruce Woodcock (boxer)|Bruce Woodcock]] on 15 April 1947. Baksi floored Woodcock three times in the first round and twice in the second. Woodcock made a comeback in the fifth, but Baksi was scoring at will when the referee stopped it in the seventh.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1947/04/16/archives/american-batters-british-champion-baksi-drops-woodcock-5-times-in.html American Batters British Champion], ''NY Times'', April 16, 1947, pg. 33</ref> Woodcock went to the hospital with a broken jaw.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 April 1947 |title=Woodcock Had Jaw Broken |pages=1 |work=The Lancashire Daily Post}}</ref>


After the contest, he travelled to [[Prague]], [[Czechoslovakia]] to meet relatives.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 April 1947 |title=Baksi Off |pages=6 |work=Torbay Express & South Devon Echo}}</ref> Baksi, a former miner, then returned to Britain to do a tour of coal mines accompanied by Fuel Minister [[Manny Shinwell]], as a promotional exercise.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 April 1947 |title=5 Month Heating Ban in Britain |pages=1 |work=The Northern Whig}}</ref> At [[Hickleton Main Colliery]], Baksi was confronted by an angry juvenile, [[Brian Blessed]], who was distraught that the American boxer had defeated his hero, Bruce Woodcock.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blessed |first=Brian |title=Absolute Pandemonium - My Louder Than Life Story |publisher=Pan Books |year=2016 |isbn=9780283072307 |location=London |pages=211}}</ref> He also visited [[Butlin's|Butlin's Holiday Camp]] at [[Filey]] to meet up with Woodcock who was staying there with his wife and they were pictured together.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 May 1947 |title=Traveller's Sports Parade |pages=6 |work=The Northern Whig}}</ref> He even found time to travel to [[Ireland]] to attend the European Amateur Boxing Championships in [[Dublin]] on 13 May.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 May 1947 |title=Baksi at Dublin Championships |pages=5 |work=The Northern Whig}}</ref> The following day, Baksi travelled on to the Abbey Cinema, [[Wexford]] as guest of honour at a 'Grand Boxing Tournament'. He presented the 'Baksi Cup' to Sean Mansfield, the boxer putting up 'the best performance of the evening'.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 May 1947 |title=Boxing Wexford Tournament |pages=7 |work=New Ross Standard}}</ref>
After the contest, he travelled to [[Prague]], [[Czechoslovakia]] to meet relatives.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 April 1947 |title=Baksi Off |pages=6 |work=Torbay Express & South Devon Echo}}</ref> Baksi, a former miner, then returned to Britain to do a tour of coal mines accompanied by Fuel Minister [[Manny Shinwell]], as a promotional exercise.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 April 1947 |title=5 Month Heating Ban in Britain |pages=1 |work=The Northern Whig}}</ref> At [[Hickleton Main Colliery]], Baksi was confronted by an angry juvenile, [[Brian Blessed]], who was distraught that the American boxer had defeated his hero, Bruce Woodcock.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blessed |first=Brian |title=Absolute Pandemonium - My Louder Than Life Story |publisher=Pan Books |year=2016 |isbn=9780283072307 |location=London |pages=211}}</ref> He also visited [[Butlin's|Butlin's Holiday Camp]] at [[Filey]] to meet up with Woodcock who was staying there with his wife and they were pictured together.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 May 1947 |title=Traveller's Sports Parade |pages=6 |work=The Northern Whig}}</ref> He even found time to travel to [[Ireland]] to attend the European Amateur Boxing Championships in [[Dublin]] on 13 May.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 May 1947 |title=Baksi at Dublin Championships |pages=5 |work=The Northern Whig}}</ref> The following day, Baksi travelled on to the Abbey Cinema, [[Wexford]] as guest of honour at a 'Grand Boxing Tournament'. He presented the 'Baksi Cup' to Sean Mansfield, the boxer putting up 'the best performance of the evening'.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 May 1947 |title=Boxing Wexford Tournament |pages=7 |work=New Ross Standard}}</ref>


After defeating Woodcock, Baksi was scheduled to fight [[Joe Louis]] for the world heavyweight title. However, Baksi, still in Europe, signed a contract to fight the Swedish champion, [[Olle Tandberg]] in Stockholm. Baksi was the 1-5 favorite to beat Tandberg, and 1-3 favorite to knock him out by the seventh round.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1947/07/06/archives/baksi-15-favorite-in-stockholm-bout-us-boxer-to-meet-tandberg-today.html Baksi 1-5 Favorite In Stockholm Bout], ''NY Times'', July 6, 1947, pg
After defeating Woodcock, Baksi was scheduled to fight [[Joe Louis]] for the world heavyweight title. However, Baksi, still in Europe, signed a contract to fight the Swedish champion, [[Olle Tandberg]] in Stockholm. Baksi was the 1-5 favorite to beat Tandberg, and 1-3 favorite to knock him out by the seventh round.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1947/07/06/archives/baksi-15-favorite-in-stockholm-bout-us-boxer-to-meet-tandberg-today.html Baksi 1-5 Favorite In Stockholm Bout], ''NY Times'', July 6, 1947, pg
89</ref> Baksi was going into the ring with 6 straight victories (five by knockout), while Tandberg had been fighting only since 1943, and only against local fighters. Then, in what the [[The New York Times|New York Times]] reported as the greatest upset in years, Baksi lost a split decision. Even Tandberg was surprised, saying after the fight "I didn't believe I had won the fight. I thought I was too much on the defensive in the closing rounds."<ref>[https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB081FF83A5A147B93C5A9178CD85F438485F9 Decision Awarded To Swedish Boxer], ''NY Times'', July 7, 1947, pg. 21</ref>
89</ref> Baksi was going into the ring with 6 straight victories (five by knockout), while Tandberg had been fighting only since 1943, and only against local fighters. Then, in what the ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' reported as the greatest upset in years, Baksi lost a split decision. Even Tandberg was surprised, saying after the fight "I didn't believe I had won the fight. I thought I was too much on the defensive in the closing rounds."<ref>[https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB081FF83A5A147B93C5A9178CD85F438485F9 Decision Awarded To Swedish Boxer], ''NY Times'', July 7, 1947, pg. 21</ref>


After his stunning defeat, Baksi took a year off. He was still the third ranked heavyweight contender, behind [[Jersey Joe Walcott]] and [[Ezzard Charles]], and ahead of [[Lee Savold]],<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1948/09/17/archives/nba-keeps-louis-at-top-of-division.html NBA Keeps Louis at Top of Division], ''NY Times'', September 17, 1948, pg. 35</ref> when he scheduled a fight with [[Ezzard Charles]]. The winner of that fight would have a title match with [[Joe Louis]]. Charles, the 5-14 favorite, defeated Baksi by TKO in the seventh.<ref>James Dawson, [https://www.nytimes.com/1948/12/11/archives/charles-stops-baksi-in-eleventh-to-become-leading-contender-for.html Charles Stops Baksi in Eleventh to Become Leading Contender], ''NY Times'', December 11, 1948, pg. 19</ref>
After his stunning defeat, Baksi took a year off. He was still the third ranked heavyweight contender, behind [[Jersey Joe Walcott]] and [[Ezzard Charles]], and ahead of [[Lee Savold]],<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1948/09/17/archives/nba-keeps-louis-at-top-of-division.html NBA Keeps Louis at Top of Division], ''NY Times'', September 17, 1948, pg. 35</ref> when he scheduled a fight with [[Ezzard Charles]]. The winner of that fight would have a title match with [[Joe Louis]]. Charles, the 5-14 favorite, defeated Baksi by TKO in the seventh.<ref>James Dawson, [https://www.nytimes.com/1948/12/11/archives/charles-stops-baksi-in-eleventh-to-become-leading-contender-for.html Charles Stops Baksi in Eleventh to Become Leading Contender], ''NY Times'', December 11, 1948, pg. 19</ref>


===Later career===
===Later career===
After being beaten by Charles, his status as a contender faded. After beating some obscure and aging boxers, he went into semi-retirement in 1951. He then made a comeback attempt in 1954, fighting Billy Smith, whom he knocked out in the first round. His second match was with a tougher opponent, [[Bob Baker (boxer)|Bob "The Grinder" Baker]], who was the 7-5 favorite. Baksi had little to offer except courage and stamina, and lost by unanimous decision. Baksi's manager, Leo Feureisen, collapsed during the fight and died in the dressing room a short while after.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1954/05/25/archives/baker-sets-back-baksi-on-points-losers-manager-dies-after-ringside.html Baker Sets Back Baksi on Points], ''NY Times'', May 25, 1954, pg. 32</ref>
After being beaten by Charles, his status as a contender faded. After beating some obscure and aging boxers, he went into semi-retirement in 1951. He then made a comeback attempt in 1954, fighting Billy Smith, whom he knocked out in the first round. His second match was with a tougher opponent, [[Bob Baker (boxer)|Bob "The Grinder" Baker]], who was the 7-5 favorite. Baksi had little to offer except courage and stamina, and lost by unanimous decision. Baksi's manager, Leo Feureisen, collapsed during the fight and died in the dressing room a short while after.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1954/05/25/archives/baker-sets-back-baksi-on-points-losers-manager-dies-after-ringside.html Baker Sets Back Baksi on Points], ''NY Times'', May 25, 1954, pg. 32</ref>


Baksi went into permanent retirement after the bout. He then became a teamster and later an ironworker and joined the International Brotherhood of Ironworkers.{{cn|date=September 2022}} Baksi died of a heart attack at [[Albany Medical Center]] in August 1977 aged 55.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 August 1977 |title=Joe Baksi Dies At 55 |pages=26 |work=New York Times}}</ref>
Baksi went into permanent retirement after the bout. He then became a teamster and later an ironworker and joined the International Brotherhood of Ironworkers.<ref name=":0" /> Baksi died of a heart attack at [[Albany Medical Center]] in August 1977 aged 55.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=8 August 1977 |title=Joe Baksi Dies At 55 |pages=26 |work=New York Times}}</ref>


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
In the book ''[[Trainspotting (novel)|Trainspotting]]'' by [[Irvine Welsh]], several of the characters use the phrase Joe Baksi to refer to a [[taxicab|taxi]], an example of [[rhyming slang]] used frequently throughout the UK.{{cn|date=September 2022}}
In the book ''[[Trainspotting (novel)|Trainspotting]]'' by [[Irvine Welsh]], several of the characters use the phrase Joe Baksi to refer to a [[taxicab|taxi]], an example of [[rhyming slang]] used frequently throughout the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 March 2019 |title=Joe Baksi - Iron Man |url=https://www.koboxingforum.com/forums/topic/94238-joe-baksi-iron-man/ |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:American people of Slovak descent]]
[[Category:American people of Slovak descent]]
[[Category:Heavyweight boxers]]
[[Category:Heavyweight boxers]]
[[Category:People from Northumberland County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Northumberland County, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Boxers from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Boxers from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 06:06, 23 November 2024

Joe Baksi
Born
Joseph William Baksi

January 14, 1922
Kulpmont, Pennsylvania
DiedAugust 6, 1977(1977-08-06) (aged 55)
Albany, New York
NationalityAmerican
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights72
Wins60
Wins by KO29
Losses9
Draws3

Joe Baksi (January 14, 1922 – August 6, 1977) was an American boxer and top heavyweight contender. He defeated fighters such as Tami Mauriello, Lee Savold, Lou Nova, and Freddie Mills, while losing decisions to Jersey Joe Walcott and Ezzard Charles.

Background

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Joe Baksi was a child of the Kulpmont, Pennsylvania coal mines. His parents were Slovakians who emigrated from Austria-Hungary to Pennsylvania, where his father was a coal miner.[1] He was quoted as saying that he never had any intention of being a boxer, but he saw it "as a ticket to a better way of life, out of the coal mines."[2] He broke into professional boxing in 1940 at the age of 18. He beat nine boxers that year, including the future movie actor Jack Palance (who fought under the name of Jack Brazzo) at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York.[3][4][5]

Boxing career

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Becoming a contender

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Baksi campaigned over the boxing circuit for a number of years, until he got his first big match with Tami Mauriello on February 25, 1944 at Madison Square Garden. Mauriello was the 5-11 favorite, and the bronx contender for the Heavyweight crown. Mauriello was expected to win, based on his experience. Baski hoped to win by matching punch with punch and using his 210 vs. 196 lb weight advantage to his favor.[6] Tami was floored late in the first round with a left hook by Baksi, and was down for a nine count. Tami faced a battering and battled back to prevent his first knockout defeat. Baksi won by unanimous decision.[7]

Baksi's upset over Tami sprang him to nationwide prominence. He was the favorite to beat Lee Savold two weeks later at the Garden, having the weight advantage and coming off his victory over Mauriello (who had beaten Savold twice before).[8] But Baksi was a tyro compared to Savold. Baksi got off to a slow start, and though he showed advantage in the ninth and tenth rounds Savold boxed his way with left hooks and jabs to win a split decision that night.[9] They had a rematch on March 10, 1944. This time, Savold was the 5-7 favorite.[10]

Baksi was in better shape that night, and fought a careful fight, out "left-handing" Savold, who was thought to have the best southpaw amongst the heavyweight contenders. At the finish Savold's left eye was cut, his nose and mouth bleeding, and his left side looked like raw hamburger. Baksi's only wound was a broken nose.[11] He won a unanimous decision. His victory advanced him to be ranked 4th in the N.B.A rankings, behind champion Joe Louis, and boxers Billy Conn and Jimmy Bivins.[12] Baksi went on to beat Savold again on August 7, 1944.

In his next fight, Baksi defeated Finnish boxer Gunnar Baerlund (GeeBee) and then scheduled a fight with his former sparring partner Lee Oma on January 28, 1945. Oma, unknown six months previously, gained fame by putting up a spirited fight against Mauriello in September. Oma lost that fight but earned a rematch in December, which he won. Still, Baksi was a 1-3 favorite to beat Oma. He had a 25-pound advantage over Oma, and corresponding advantages in height, reach, and punching power. But he lacked mental alertness that night, having suffered a cold over the last several days before the fight. He made a late comeback in the fight, but lost the fight by a unanimous decision.[13]

Baksi went on to win a unanimous decision against Lou Nova on March 30, flooring Nova in the fourth round with a left hook to the ribs that kept Nova down for a count of nine.[14] Baksi was now the second ranked (wartime) heavyweight. He scored easy decisions against Lee Dixie Oliver and Larry Lane, and then fought a thirty-one-year-old Jersey Joe Walcott. Walcott had lost earlier bouts with world-class professionals, and was an underdog against Baksi. But Walcott won, scoring 6-3-1 on the single referees scorecard. Walcott's dancing and dodging allowed him to escape Baksi's reach, and he was able to get in enough hooks to make Baksi groggy.[15] Baksi lost his next fight with Jimmy Bell (a split decision in which Baksi was penalized two rounds for a low blow), but then racked up four easy wins before traveling to Europe.[citation needed]

External images
image icon Baksi in his prime
image icon Post Card
image icon Bow Tie Advert

Europe and back

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Baksi left for Europe on October 9, 1946 to fight the two British champions. He first defeated British light heavy weight champion Freddie Mills. Baksi was sluggish in the first round, but Mills (who had chronic eye problems) suffered a cut in his right eye in the second round, and his left eye in the third. After a bad battering, Mills gave up at the end of the sixth round.[16]

Baksi then went on to fight British heavyweight champion Bruce Woodcock on 15 April 1947. Baksi floored Woodcock three times in the first round and twice in the second. Woodcock made a comeback in the fifth, but Baksi was scoring at will when the referee stopped it in the seventh.[17] Woodcock went to the hospital with a broken jaw.[18]

After the contest, he travelled to Prague, Czechoslovakia to meet relatives.[19] Baksi, a former miner, then returned to Britain to do a tour of coal mines accompanied by Fuel Minister Manny Shinwell, as a promotional exercise.[20] At Hickleton Main Colliery, Baksi was confronted by an angry juvenile, Brian Blessed, who was distraught that the American boxer had defeated his hero, Bruce Woodcock.[21] He also visited Butlin's Holiday Camp at Filey to meet up with Woodcock who was staying there with his wife and they were pictured together.[22] He even found time to travel to Ireland to attend the European Amateur Boxing Championships in Dublin on 13 May.[23] The following day, Baksi travelled on to the Abbey Cinema, Wexford as guest of honour at a 'Grand Boxing Tournament'. He presented the 'Baksi Cup' to Sean Mansfield, the boxer putting up 'the best performance of the evening'.[24]

After defeating Woodcock, Baksi was scheduled to fight Joe Louis for the world heavyweight title. However, Baksi, still in Europe, signed a contract to fight the Swedish champion, Olle Tandberg in Stockholm. Baksi was the 1-5 favorite to beat Tandberg, and 1-3 favorite to knock him out by the seventh round.[25] Baksi was going into the ring with 6 straight victories (five by knockout), while Tandberg had been fighting only since 1943, and only against local fighters. Then, in what the New York Times reported as the greatest upset in years, Baksi lost a split decision. Even Tandberg was surprised, saying after the fight "I didn't believe I had won the fight. I thought I was too much on the defensive in the closing rounds."[26]

After his stunning defeat, Baksi took a year off. He was still the third ranked heavyweight contender, behind Jersey Joe Walcott and Ezzard Charles, and ahead of Lee Savold,[27] when he scheduled a fight with Ezzard Charles. The winner of that fight would have a title match with Joe Louis. Charles, the 5-14 favorite, defeated Baksi by TKO in the seventh.[28]

Later career

[edit]

After being beaten by Charles, his status as a contender faded. After beating some obscure and aging boxers, he went into semi-retirement in 1951. He then made a comeback attempt in 1954, fighting Billy Smith, whom he knocked out in the first round. His second match was with a tougher opponent, Bob "The Grinder" Baker, who was the 7-5 favorite. Baksi had little to offer except courage and stamina, and lost by unanimous decision. Baksi's manager, Leo Feureisen, collapsed during the fight and died in the dressing room a short while after.[29]

Baksi went into permanent retirement after the bout. He then became a teamster and later an ironworker and joined the International Brotherhood of Ironworkers.[30] Baksi died of a heart attack at Albany Medical Center in August 1977 aged 55.[30]

Trivia

[edit]

In the book Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh, several of the characters use the phrase Joe Baksi to refer to a taxi, an example of rhyming slang used frequently throughout the UK.[31]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ 1920 United States census
  2. ^ Joe Baksi Dies at 55,NY Times, August 8, 1977, pg. 26
  3. ^ Boxing Records Official records for Jack Palance aka Jack Brazzo
  4. ^ Lawrence Christon,"Home on the Range It's been a long, dusty journey since Panic in the Streets and Shane", The Los Angeles Times, April 30, 1995, Calendar Section. Palance recounts a "pier 6 brawl" with Baksi
  5. ^ Oscar-winning thesp Palance dies, Variety, November 10, 2006
  6. ^ Mauriello Choice to Vanquish Baksi NY Times, February 25, 1944, pg. 20
  7. ^ James Dawson, Baksi Outpoints Mauriello in 10-Round Upset, NY Times, February 26, 1944, pg. 18
  8. ^ Baksi 1-2 Choice to Defeat Savold, NY Times, March 10, 1944, p18
  9. ^ Joseph Nichols, Savold Beats Baksi in Heavyweight Bout, NY Times, March 11, 1944, pg. 18
  10. ^ Savold 5-7 Choice to Vanquish Baksi, NY Times, May 26, 1944, pg. 14
  11. ^ Joseph Nichols, Baksi Decisively Outpoints Savold in 12-Round Heavyweight Bout, NY Times, May 27, 1944, pg. 20
  12. ^ Baksi Placed 4th in N.B.A Rankings, NY Times, July 14, 1944, pg. 18
  13. ^ James Dawson, Oma Beats Baksi in Boxing Upset, NY Times, January 27, 1945, pg. 17
  14. ^ Joseph Nichols, Baksi Beats Nova, NY Times, March 31, 1945, pg. 25
  15. ^ Walcott Outboxes Baksi, NY Times, August 3, 1945, pg. 20
  16. ^ Baksi Stops Mills, NY Times, November 6, 1946, pg. 41
  17. ^ American Batters British Champion, NY Times, April 16, 1947, pg. 33
  18. ^ "Woodcock Had Jaw Broken". The Lancashire Daily Post. 17 April 1947. p. 1.
  19. ^ "Baksi Off". Torbay Express & South Devon Echo. 22 April 1947. p. 6.
  20. ^ "5 Month Heating Ban in Britain". The Northern Whig. 27 April 1947. p. 1.
  21. ^ Blessed, Brian (2016). Absolute Pandemonium - My Louder Than Life Story. London: Pan Books. p. 211. ISBN 9780283072307.
  22. ^ "Traveller's Sports Parade". The Northern Whig. 14 May 1947. p. 6.
  23. ^ "Baksi at Dublin Championships". The Northern Whig. 14 May 1947. p. 5.
  24. ^ "Boxing Wexford Tournament". New Ross Standard. 16 May 1947. p. 7.
  25. ^ Baksi 1-5 Favorite In Stockholm Bout, NY Times, July 6, 1947, pg 89
  26. ^ Decision Awarded To Swedish Boxer, NY Times, July 7, 1947, pg. 21
  27. ^ NBA Keeps Louis at Top of Division, NY Times, September 17, 1948, pg. 35
  28. ^ James Dawson, Charles Stops Baksi in Eleventh to Become Leading Contender, NY Times, December 11, 1948, pg. 19
  29. ^ Baker Sets Back Baksi on Points, NY Times, May 25, 1954, pg. 32
  30. ^ a b "Joe Baksi Dies At 55". New York Times. 8 August 1977. p. 26.
  31. ^ "Joe Baksi - Iron Man". 27 March 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

Sources

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